Comparison · family hatchbacks

Audi A3 vs Peugeot 308: which is more reliable?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 536,719 real MOT tests in 2024.

Audi A3

106Above average
MOT tests406,671

Peugeot 308

91Well below average
MOT tests130,048

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testAudi A3Peugeot 308
3–5 years
102Above average
99About average
6–9 years
109Well above average
94Below average
10–14 years
108Above average
89Well below average
15+ years
102Above average
85Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearAudi A3Peugeot 308
202188.9%88.4%
202088.8%86.3%
201987.9%83.5%
201887.5%77.9%
201785.7%75.1%
201684.3%71.2%
201581.0%68.5%
201477.6%63.2%
201373.8%57.2%
201266.7%57.0%
201165.2%57.6%
201063.2%52.3%
200961.9%49.9%
200859.6%48.6%
200758.2%48.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaAudi A3Peugeot 308
Lights & electrics10.219.6
Suspension10.314.2
Brakes8.312.3
Tyres8.69.2
Emissions & leaks3.86.3
Body & chassis3.16.5
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.15.0
Steering0.43.5

Audi A3: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
  4. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.4%

Peugeot 308: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.4%
  6. Stop lamp: not working1.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Audi A3 or the Peugeot 308?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Audi A3 and Peugeot 308 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Audi A3 had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the Peugeot 308 in 0.

What fails most on each?

Audi A3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Peugeot 308: coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.